SMOLLTRONSTÄLLE: ILHA GRANDE

18:34:00

It´s
not an insider tip. But it feels exactly like it. Ilha Grande, a
beautiful island, only two hours from Rio de Janeiro is a protected
national park, without cars and just a tiny village. The rest of the
island is covered in tropical rainforest and beautiful beaches. Our trip
was completely spontaneous, but I guess this is how you find paradise.
Laying on the white beach, walking to a beautiful waterfall through the
deep jungle, drinking Caipirinhas at night under a huge tree on the
beach, eating a delicious late night burger in Vila do Abraao before
leaving the island the next day... it was the perfect getaway. I will come back I promise!

Getting there

From Rio´s bus stations take one of the very comfy climated buses down the coast towards this gorgeous island. We just walked in, bought a ticket for the next possible bus and then waited for a bit. There are numerous buses leaving each day.From one of the bus stops along the coast you can take fast catamarans (relatively expensive), the big ferry from Angras dos Reisor a small boat from Mangaratiba, that is cheaper and takes longer hence leaving you more time to enjoy the gorgeous scenery. Make sure to check the departure times, there aren´t countless boats going to and from the island and also do not forget to take enough cash, there are no ATMs on Ilha Grande.

Accomoodation

There are a lot of family led guest houses, with little rooms in the main town of the island Vila
do Abraão (which has an impressive number of 3000 inhabitants). You can
just walk around and ask the owner of these Pousadas for their rooms
and prices. There are also some little hostels along the beach and more
luxurious rooms as well, but I think you get the beast steal in one of
the Pousadas. We spent our nights in the Aquário Hostel, that lays directly on the sea, offers parties and barbecues on the pretty terrace and alsohas a natural pool which is so clear that you can watch fishes from above.

What to do

Ilha
Grande is a quiet, tiny island. There are no cars, no ATMs and only one
small town. But it has some really gorgeous natural sights. Next to the
famous tropical beaches with glistening white sand, there are huge
waterfalls and deep jungle in the center of the island. There are
numerous tracks lined out, that you can just follow along. I highly
recommend dipping into the waterfalls and if you have time to climb up
the highest mountain of the island, called the parrot head. You can also
take boat tours around the island to snorkle and explore some of the
more remote and even prettier beaches.There
is not much of a nightlife, but there are beautiful beach bars, where
you can enjoy a cold caipirinha and great talks, while holding your feet
in the ocean that climbs up the beach during the tide. You should also
eat a burger at the burger stand close to the center of Vila
do Abraão. Basically do all the things you ever dreamt of doing on a
remote island: explore the jungle, lay on the beach, have cocktails on
the beach and enjoy life.